The season finale of 'Mad Men' was up 33% on the previous season.
The drama that enveloped Sterling Cooper was good for business -- AMC's business. "Mad Men" wrapped its third season on a strong note, drawing 2.3 million viewers for Sunday's finale.
Viewership for the Lionsgate TV skein was up 33% from last season's finale aud of 1.7 million, according to prelim Nielsens. It also marked the show's second-highest rating of the season behind the series-record 2.8 million who turned out for the third season opener in August.
For its third season overall, "Mad Men" averaged 1.8 million viewers, up 20% from last year's 1.5 million. The period drama starring Jon Hamm, January Jones and Elisabeth Moss saw surges of 20% in adults 18-49 (845,000 vs. 705,000) and 26% in adults 25-54 (982,000 vs. 780,000) compared to its second-season averages.
Show, which captured its second consecutive Emmy for best drama in September, continues to command an upscale aud, with roughly half of its adults 25-54 audience this season having a household income of $100,000 or higher. And on iTunes, season three of "Mad Men" had the best-selling season pass of the year.
Contact Rick Kissell at
rick.kissell@variety.com